Southwestern AHEC’s Immunization Action Plan team – Community Outreach Coordinator Millie Seguinot and Director of Programs Joan Lane – were recognized by the State of CT Department of Public Health for having “improved both the Bridgeport immunization rate from 75% in 2008 to 77% in 2009″, and having increased “5% in their ability to find and update children in the city who were at risk for being under-immunized.” The letter of commendation states: “This makes the Bridgeport IAP [Immunization Action Plan] program the most improved IAP area in the state.”
The current statistics are even more dramatic when measured against those in effect when Southwestern AHEC assumed responsibility for the Bridgeport immunization program in 2004. At that time, the percentage of children up to date for their shots at age 24 months was just 63% (compared to 77% in 2009).
“Our success is possible because of the excellent collaboration we get from other local agencies, and the cooperation of Bridgeport’s pediatric and family practices,” according to Millie, who has lent her outreach expertise to the program since 2006. “In particular, the WIC office [Women, Infants and Children program] is a critical part of the process of identifying the physicians of children ‘lost’ to the CT Immunization Registry and Tracking System.”
Southwestern AHEC’s Executive Director expressed her delight with the recognition, adding, “We look forward to continuing to work with the medical community to attain the State’s targeted 81% immunization rate for 2 year olds.”
About Joan
